Taught by: A/P Barbara Ryan
Content (Structure/Organization): -
The entire (tentative) module outline for the semester was available on Luminus in the first week. There were multiple interludes of feedback sessions in which she welcomed suggestions from the class for the readings and use of lesson time. She regularly revisited the module's teaching points, outcomes, and learning that she shared in her first lesson. These checkpoints were tremendously useful for me to track my learning and reflect on my growth in her module. The lessons were highly dependent on what the class shared about the assigned readings/homework.
Accessibility and Assessment: 5
Prof Ryan focuses on imparting essential life skills such as critical thinking and communication . Little background knowledge is required in the subject domain to pick up or advance these skills. For AY 21/22, garden/gardening was used as the medium. I knew little about gardens or plants but took home a bountiful harvest of learning. In her module(s), you sow your own seeds of learning. Expect some readings/inquiries to focus in on Singapore's context. One of the assignments required us to interview a Singaporean gardener. If you have little knowledge about Singapore, fret not. You will get to learn more from this module :)
Manageability of Workload: 3
There were quite a number of formal assignments that were rather time consuming, such as the interview or independent field (garden) study. Won't recommend doing this module if you are having a heavy semester. Prioritise your mental health!
Ease/Difficulty of Attaining Grades:
Aim for the stars and land on the moon. The higher the expectation the greater the disappointment. The answer lies in the reviews.
Presence of Technical Learning:
Examining' skills, communication skills, critical thinking, and mindfulness.
Learning Value/Recommendation: 5
Ever-growing
About the Instructor:
Prof Ryan has taught in NUS (USP) for two decades. She is the three-eyed raven of Game of Thrones. Seen many, taught many. Proven track record.
Name: Cyndi (Telegram Handle: @cyriya)
Content (Structure/Organization): -
Unstructured since prof encourages everyone to think for themselves and come up with their own conclusions.
Accessibility and Assessment: 4
It is easy to pick up, difficult to understand.
Manageability of Workload: 2
Heavy and readings are both difficult to understand and require a lot of thinking.
Ease/Difficulty of Attaining Grades:
If you try hard an A- is possible.
Presence of Technical Learning:
Not really.
Learning Value/Recommendation: 4
I transcended.
About the Instructor:
Very knowledgeable.
Content (Structure/Organization): -
Prof Ryan is willing to change the lesson plan depending on what the students want to discuss. She provides a syllabus document which details all homework, assignments, and readings for the week, which she follows pretty strictly. When she changes the lesson plan, she gives a warning in quite alot of advance.
Accessibility and Assessment: 4
I would say that the most in the module had no background in this subject domain, so it's pretty accessible. However, many/some of the ideas introduced and readings to be done can be hard to understand (in my experience).
Manageability of Workload: 3
Some of the readings are pretty difficult, IMO, but could just be my own dumbness LOL. sometimes she wants us to post on luminus and stuff, and she gives maybe a day for u to do the work. there were 2 written assignments, one teaching stint, one dance stint, and one final assignment. While I didnt personally find the work alot (as compared to the WCT i did), i felt the work was quite difficult to do? Class part was ten percent, but lotsa different things make it up, like talking during the lesson, doing forum post, and doing one of the written assignments. Class part was pretty stressful imo HAHAHA cos cant say like and sometimes she'll cut in with her opinions, which can sound like a harsh scolding if she doesnt mean it to.
Ease/Difficulty of Attaining Grades:
I had a friend who got an A, but he rly class parted, and did well for the different components from what I know. I got a B ah, and from my knowledge quite a lot of my friends got Bs. It wasn't that we didnt try, but we werent able to evaluate in the way the profs wants us to/grades? TBH i've no clue how she rly grades but I'll say if ur not very convinced in ur humanities skills (found this module pretty humanities based) be prepared with an SU,
Presence of Technical Learning:
she sometimes gives lectures on content, but usually class is very discussion based.
Learning Value/Recommendation: 4
I didn't learn as much as I could have, cos some of the harshness/perceived harshness from the professor made me start shutting down in the lesson in the middle of the sem. but imo i still learnt alot, many of the ideas are pretty interesting, tho can be hard to understand when she lectures and when classmates share.
About the Instructor:
Prof Ryan is known to be rly good. She asked for feedback in the middle of the sem, and she rly followed thru on the feedback given. What was feedbacked (on my part) was that she could be too harsh and sometimes came across as demeaning to students, and that she gave her assignment with too much ambiguity and lack of guidance. In the last assignment she tried to reduce ambiguity and provide more guidance, so kudos. I also think the feedback on the last assignment was phrased nicer(?) HAHA. But really tho, this mod may not be for the fainthearted (people like me) cos I cried a few times when she talked, she was too harsh. i had a few other friends who teared up too. it rly feels like a tearing down/humiliation sometimes for some of us. I've met her irl tho, she seems to be a nice person.
Additional Comments/Word of Advice:
I think this mod was pretty interesting, but perhaps be prepared for the temperament of the professor, that will make this module more pleasant as an experience. many of my friends would prepare scripts for class part, cos she rly wants conciseness and lack of filler "like". perhaps, dont be afraid to share and share earlier? I was quite intimidated and thus didnt share alot until she started calling on me and that was a whole new level of scary cos i have no script prepared HAHA